Cody Jamieson’s 6 points and Angus Goodleaf’s 50 saves key Rochester’s 13-9 win.
By CRAIG POTTER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks started off their 25th season in fine shape with a 13-9 victory over the expansion Philadelphia Wings before 8,144 fans at the Connors & Ferris Field at the Blue Cross Arena Saturday night.
Prior to the game, the Knighthawks introduced members of their All-Time Team, as voted by the fans. Taking part in the ceremony were forwards John Grant Jr., Tim Soudan, Shawn Williams, Paul Gait, Mike Accursi, and Cody Jamieson; defensemen Regy Thorpe, Chris Schiller, Sid Smith, Scott Campbell, Paul Dawson, Graeme Hossack, Marshall Abrams, Mike Hasen, and goaltender Pat O’Toole.
Each member of the All-Time Team was presented with a commemorative plaque by Knighthawks Owner Curt Styres.
As a member of the All-time Team, head coach Mike Hasen reflected on being honored as one of the best to ever don the purple and teal in Rochester.
“It is such a great honor,” he said. “It is a privilege to wear that jersey and to be recognized with all of the guys that have worn it through the years.”
The Knighthawks received strong goaltending from Angus Goodleaf, who took over the No. 1 spot after Matt Vinc, who also was voted to the All-Time Team, signed with the Buffalo Bandits as a free agent in the offseason.
“He’s a very lo maintenance guy and he’s been a great backup for us for all these years and is deserving of the No. 1 spot,” Hasen said.
“He allowed us to get our feet under us, especially in that first quarter because they were coming at us very hard…He had a couple of big saves at the end so he had a great game.”
Goodleaf blanked the Wings in the first quarter as his teammates provided him with a 5-goal lead. Cory Vitarelli and Cody Jamieson each tallied twice as Quinn Powless opened the scoring. The Hawks held an 8-2 advantage at halftime.
After the opening period, the Wings never drew closer than 4 goals. The Hawks largest lead was 7 (11-4) late in the third quarter. Philadelphia tallied the next 3 goals, but then the two teams traded goals the rest of the way.
Jamieson paced the Hawks with 6 points (3g, 3a) as Austin Shanks (2g, 2a) and Cory Vitarelli (3g, 1a) each contributed 4 points. Brandon Robinson added 2 goals as Joe Resetarits, Kyle Jackson, and Quinn Powless added 1 goal each. Jake Withers, Shanks, Jackson, and Powless all had 2 assists as Graeme Hossack, Robinson, Vitarelli, James Barley, and Dylan Riley added 1 assist apiece.
Fairport’s Riorden starts for Wings
Fairport native Blaze Riorden made his season debut for the Wings and finished with 4 points (1g, 3a) for second most in the game on the team.
It marked the first time the outdoor goalie played against his hometown indoor team as a forward.
“This is my first time in Rochester and I have a bunch of family and friends out there which I’m very grateful a great community that I was able to grow up in,” he said.
While a goalie, Riorden occasionally went on the offense while playing for the Red Raiders as well as in college for SUNY Albany.
“The goaltending position is a lot different in box than it is in field,” Riorden said. “I’ve always had a love for the game and I wanted to try something new (in playing forward).”
Riorden also is a former Rochester Rattlers goalie. He made the move to Dallas this past summer as the team placed first in the regular Major League Lacrosse season, but lost in the playoff final to the Denver Outlaws.
“It was first class but obviously it stinks leaving home,” said Riorden. “I loved playing in front of my family and friends but Dallas was a first-class organization and I can’t speak any more highly of them.”
The Rattlers were coached by former Knighthawk and Fairport resident Tim Soudan, who did not make the move to Dallas.
*NOTES — The Knighthawks announced that Scott Campbell will serve as the team captain for the 2018-19 season, while Cody Jamieson, Paul Dawson, and Graeme Hossack will serve as the alternate captains…The Knighthawks head West the I-90 to face Buffalo on Jan. 5 in what should be an electric atmosphere as the two intrastate rivals battle at KeyBank Center…A couple of milestones were reached in the contest as Cory Vitarelli moved into 4th place on the Knighthawks all-time scoring list, and Joe Resetarits played in his 100th NLL game.
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Rochester Knighthawks goalie Angus Goodleaf makes one of his 50 saves during a Philadelphia Wings power play in Saturday night’s (12/29/18) NLL season opener before 8,144 fans at the Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks won the game, 13-9.
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Rochester Knighthawks forward Kyle Jackson (47) scores in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Wings during Saturday night’s (12/29/18) NLL season opener before 8,144 fans at the Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks won the game, 13-9.
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Fairport native Blaze Riorden (10) made his season debut as he started the game for the Philadelphia Wings Saturday night (12/29/18) against his hometown Rochester Knighthawks before 8,144 fans in the Hawks home opener at the Blue Cross Arena. Riorden scored 1 goal and added 3 assists for the Wings, but the Knighthawks won the game, 13-9.
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